Tudor and Cabal: We are facing a strong team in Villarreal | OneFootball

The Juventus Men’s First Team will play their first away game of the 2025/26 Champions League campaign on Wednesday, October 1 at 21:00 CEST. The Bianconeri are taking on Villarreal in Spain.

Coach Igor Tudor and Juan Cabal previewed the second League Phase match of the season in a press conference.

JUAN CABAL

ON VILLARREAL

"I'm very happy to have scored and helped the team take home at least one point, but now my goal is in the past and I'm only thinking about tomorrow's match. If another one comes along, I'll be delighted. We know that Villarreal are a strong side, but just as we need to take to the pitch with great focus, they will need to do the same. We respect our opponents and we know that they have made a good start to the league, but every game is different."

HIS ROLE

"Personally, I feel calm. I talk a lot with the manager, when I start the game, I'm happy, but the same goes when I come on during the game because my goal is always to give my best. The long break due to injury helped me grow a lot; I learned a lot. Now I want to help the team and always win. My favourite position on the pitch? It doesn't matter to me, I play wherever I can be useful. I'm comfortable both as a wing-back in a three-man defence and as a full-back. I'm at the disposal of the manager and my teammates."

THE CHARM OF THE UCL

“When I was a child and heard the Champions League anthem, it gave me goosebumps. Of course, the commitment for a European match and a domestic match is the same; we always aim to give our best when we take to the pitch. However, it is clear that the appeal of the Champions League is unique.”

IGOR TUDOR

THE FIRST AWAY GAME IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

"The team is doing very well. I liked their performance three days ago: serious and of a high level. Tomorrow we will play a Champions League match, and everyone is eager to play their best. We will face a strong team that will be playing at home and has started the season well. I always want to win, as do the lads, and I can assure you that in training and in matches they work hard and make sacrifices, but you always have to take your opponents into account."

INDIVIDUALS AND TRAINING CHOICES

"Yildiz? Kenan will play, he's not tired. Bremer and Thuram? They're unavailable for this match due to two minor issues, but that shouldn't prevent them from playing against Milan. Who will play in attack tomorrow? The Champions League is the ideal stage for all our attacking players. I'm happy to have all three of them available. I talk to them, I have to pamper them and make them feel important. They are all good guys and strong players. I talk to them every day and I like their mentality. They will be a big help. They are focused and want to contribute, whether from the start or during the game."